The biology collection contains specimens of preserved plants and animals collected over the last 150 years, mainly in Hampshire and also some specimens from the rest of the UK and abroad. The entomology specimens are primarily a British collection, but with a strong Hampshire bias.

The geology collection contains fossils from the Cretaceous, Paleogene and Quaternary rocks from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. There are also fossil specimens along with rocks and minerals from classic Victorian British and International sites. They act as the repository for supporting evidence for Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre records.

To provide specimens which can be used as an aid to inform people about important issues relating to the biodiversity and geological history of Hampshire and the complex biological and geological processes involved

To provide evidence for the biodiversity and geological history of Hampshire

To provide reference material for scientific research and training

The Natural Sciences reference library contains numerous books and periodicals mainly concerned with the identification, status and distribution of British wildlife. We are always keen to receive donations of missing items in order to enhance the value of this important local resource.

We operate a strict collecting policy which governs what we collect and how we collect it.

If you have any questions about the collections or the natural sciences library, wish to visit them or have a collection or specimens you would like to donate, please contact us.